alexander



T'. ALEXANDER. WINDMILL. l No. 378,073. 'Patented Peb. 21,1888; Y

WITNESSES n. Pneus. 'Mmmm www@ n. e

' fle'd in the appended claims.

.parts of the mill, and consequent liability to THOMAS J. ALEXANDER,

OE WEsTEEVILLE, OHIO.r-

WINDMILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent N o. 378,073, datedFebruary 21, 1888.

' Apnncation inea April so, resi.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. ALEXANDER, of Westerville, intheco'unty'of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain newanduseful Improvements in Windmills; and I do hereby declare that thefollowingis a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of referencemarked thereon, which form part of this specitcatiominwhich- Figure lisa Vertical section of a portion of a windmill embodying my invention.Fig.v 2 is a plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical section showingthe construction of the brakestrap and lever-connection. Fig. 4 is aplan view of the supportingring.l Fig. 5 is a similar view of a modifiedform of ring. Fig. 6 is a detail View showing the lever and brake-strap.Fig. 7 is a detail section showing the connection of the vane-arm. Fig.8 is a vertical section showing a modification of the spring andcontrolling devices of the vane. Fig. 9 is a similar view showing asecond modification of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in wind wheels or mills, and ithas for its objects to provide a mill in which the vane will be heldnormally in position for keeping the wheel to the Wind or in operativeposition; to allow this vane to yield or turn either right or leftindependently of the supporting-table when subjected to violent andcontrary gusts of wind;4 to spring-cushion the vane when so displaced,so that shocks caused by sudden. stoppage of the vane by impactagainstother damage or breakage, will be obviated; to provide means forthrowing the mllout of gear by paralleling the vane and wheel andsimultaneouslyapplyinga brake to the wheel proper to stop its rotation,and, finally, to automatically return the vane to its operative positionafter any of its displacements, all of which objects I attain by thepresent invention, which consists in the novel construction andarrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the drawings,and particularly speci- Referring to the drawings by letters, Adesignates the turn-table or head which bears the vane and wheel andtheir controlling mechanism. This head is hollow and of gen- Serial No.236.695. (No model.)

`eral 4conical shape, having its smaller end lowermost. i p y adesignates the -depending collared lug (or arm by which the head kismounted and allowed to turn freely insuitable bearings on the mainsupporting-frame of the mill.' Near "the, upper portionof this head, andextendingradially and horizontally through suitable bearings formed inthe side of the head, is vthe wheel-shaft B, which bears'on its outerend a wind-wheel, b, `of any suitable construction, and on its inner enda Wheel, C, having an eccentric-pin, c, for connecting with and impart`ing movement to the pumprod or pitman, as hereinafter referred to.

D designates an Aannular horizontal collar or ring secured to the upperedges of head A, or formed integral therewith, as is found convenient.The opening in ring D is of general circular form, but hasits centervstruck from a point outside the cnter of the ring, so that theperiphery of the opening in the ring is eccentric' to the periphery ofthe same. d designates an offset or notch formed in the opening in ringD at a point where its walls are narrowest, and from which notch theWallsiwiden, as shown and described, forming on the interior surface ofthe ring the two similar opposite elliptic cams E E, hereinafterreferred to.A The ring Dis situated on'head A, so that its notch dwilljbe diametrically opposite shaft B, forareason hereinafter'stat-'ed.

P designates a hollow pitman-rod rising throughthe shank a of the headVA, and suit-` I ably connected in theinterior of the head with one endof a pitman-rod, F, the other end of which is journaled on the Wrist-pinof wheel C, so that when saidwheel is rotated by wind- 9o wheel b thepitmanrod F will be vertically reciprocated. l Y

G designates a bent arm inside of the headv A, the lower end of whichencircles a tube through which passes the rod P, on the upper .end ofwhichv rod is suitably attachedthe pitman F. The upper tubular portionof the arm G turns vcup or step g, as shown. This cup can be filled withoil, and ,when so -filled will sufiice to lubricate the crane for a yearor more, and will, While keeping the lower end of the crane in place,render the movementof the latter easy and f'rictionless.l kTheupper endof the crane G is supported by a bracket, H,

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which issecured at its base to the ring D at a point vertically aboveshaft B. The bracket H and crane G extend up a snicient height above thetop surface of ring D to allow free swinging movement of the vane I,which is connected by its shaft i with a hollowlangular arm, G', formedintegral with crane G and extending horizontally outward therefrom, asshown, the arm G being formed sufficiently near the upper end of thecrane to clear the ringD as it swings with the vane I in a horizontalplane, having the crane G as a pivot.

The vane I may be of any desirable construction, but is rigidlyconnected with crane G, so as to turn and be supported thereby, asdescribed. The lower portion of crane G above rod F is bent outward, soas to offer no l obstruction to the vertical play of the rod, and

above the limit of vertical movement of the rod the crane is turnedinward and rises vertically to bracket II. It is preferably journaled orpivoted to said bracket by having its upper end vertically recessed ordshed, so that it can be filled with oil, and into this recess enters acorrespondingly-shaped lug on the lower surface of the upper end of thebracket, as shown. Below this recess the portion of crane G verticallyabove rodFis bored or chambered for the passage of a chain, J,hereinafter referred to, and at the upper end of this bore, just belowarm G', is a radial vertical slot communicating with the bore, and inthis slot is journaled apulley, j, over which chain J passes. The craneG is preferably made angular in cross-section for the purpose ofaffording strength and lightness.

g designates a lug or arm standing outward from the lower end of crane Gin line with arm G thereof, and to this lug is pivoted the lower end ofa rod, K, which extends upward to and through alongitudinal verticalslot, i', in the vane-arm i and arm G of the crane, the slot z" and rodK both lying within the opening in ring D. The slot t" is provided witha suitable metallic bushing, i", to prevent wear of the parts.

When in normal position, as shown in Fig. 1, the vane I standsdiametrieally opposite wheel b and its arm lies vertically over thenotch d in said ring. 'k designates a frictionwheel turningfreely onrodI below arm g and engaging: by its periphery against the innercircumference of ring D-that is, the faces of the notch d or cams EE,according as the mill is in operative position or the vane displaced.The wheel k is kept in proper position on rod K by collars,` as shown.This wheel may have its periphery grooved, and a corresponding track orguide rail may be formed on the engaging surfaces of ring D therefor.

k' designates a grooved pulley secured between collars on the upper endof rod K, above arln G', and hereinafter referred to.

L designates a spring connected at one end to the crane G and at theother end to the rod K, and which acts to force the rod K away from thecrane. This spring is preferably composed 'of the double vertical leavesl l, as shown in Fig. 1, the upper ends of the inner leaf Z beingrigidly secured to the upper portionl of crane G below arm G', andsecured at its lower end to the lower end of the outer leaf Z the upperend of which extends up to and embraces the rod K just below its pulley7c, so as to afford the greatest amount of leverage on said rodobtainable.

M designates a bell-crank lever pivoted at its bend to ring D above thepulley C, andl having one of its arms extending forward and engaging thefree end of a brake-strap, d', which is suitably arranged to engage theperiphery of wheel G,as shown, so that upon depression of the horizontalarm of lever M the brake d is forced into contact with wheel C and stopsthe rotation of the wheel b. The other arm of the lever rises verticallyand is connected to the upper end of chain J, which chain passes thenceto pulley k, partly around said pulley to pulley j, thence through craneG to and through pitman F, and is passed out of this pitinan at asuitable point where it can be manipulated by a person at the base ofthe frame-work.

The operation of the invention is as follows: The parts being properlymounted and arranged, substantially as described, the vane I stands atright angles to wheel b, in line with the shaft B thereof, and when inthis position the friction wheel k on rod K rests in the notch or recessd in the ring D, this recessl corresponding in contour to a greater orless arc of wheel 7c, so that the vane I, when in said position, willbeheld with more or less rigidity against swinging movement by means ofthe springs L, which force outward rod K and keep the wheel kin saidnotch. The machine is, when thusadjusted, in working position, the wheelb being properly presented and held to the wind, the vane I keeping itproperly presented, as usual, by turning head A as the direction of thecurrent of wind varies. New, should any sudden gust of air ICO IIO

come in a contrary direction to that in which the wheel and vane arelying-say, for instance, a gust should strike the vane I at rightangles, thereby violently forcing the vane to Vturn until it stands inline with the current in the usual construction of windmills theshifting of the vane, unless by the mechanisms for throwing the mill outvof gear, necessitates the simultaneous shifting of the wheel in anopposite direction, and if the wind is very violent the stability of themill is eudangered, as the wind catches the wheel and vane broadside,and before the vane can right itself the Whole mill is blown over. Thisis especially the case where the independent movement of the vane in oneor both directions upon thc turntable is limited by a rigid stop, as,should the wind strike the mill so that the vane would be violentlythrown against such stop, the force of the blow would destroy thegravity of the mill-frame and render its overturn by the wind moreimminent.

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By my invention, however, this danger is' obviated. No direct stops areemployed for the vane; but if such a gust were to strike the mill theforce of the movement of the vane would cause wheel k to ride out of thenotchA onto either cam-face E, thus increasing the tension of spring Lon rod I, and the farther the vane was displaced the greater tensionwould be put on spring L, as the arrangement of the cams E is such thatas the wheel k rides over them away from notch d they direct andforce'the wheel inward toward crane G. This is obvious, as the cranewhich forms the pivot of the vane is placed centrally of head `A, whilethe circle upon which cams E E are made is eccentric to the axis of saidhead. The slot g allows the upper end ot rod K to move inward asvthevane is displaced. When the vane I is freedfrom the air-currents orother disturbing canse, the spring L, acting -through rod K and wheellr, will cause the latter to ride down cam E until the wheel k entersthe notch d, when the partsfare again in ordinary working position.

It will be observed that while no sudden stop is given to the vane, yetthe farther it is displaced from normal position the greaterV power isrequired to cause such displacement, and the greater tension of thespring will cause the speedier return of the vane to its normalposition. By reason of this automatic selfregulation ot' the vane withrespect to the wheel the machine can be left set to work at nightwithout fear of its being overthrown. When it is desired to stop themill or rotation of wheel b,the chain Jis used. By pulling upon thelower end of this chain the brake is applied to wheel C, as described,and further pulling or taking up of the chain causes pulley k toapproach pulley j, this causing the disengagement of wheel k from itsseat, and by still further taking up the chain the Vane is swung arounduntilit stands parallel with the perimeter of the wheel b, which is thenkept edgewise to the wind ont of working position, any slight rotativeinfluences of the wind on wheel b in this position being renderedineffectual by reason of the brake on wheel C, as described.

When the mill is in working position and subjected to a steady andstrong current of wind, whereby the rotation'of the wheel might beaccelerated to a dangerous degree of speed, the vane, being partiallyindependent of the motion of the wheel, as described, will be held inthe line of the wind; but the wheel will by its own momentum turn withhead A until it stands at such a tangent to the wind-current that thefull force ot" the latter is not exerted broadside upon the face of thewheel, and its rotation is consequently lessened. The movement of thewheel and head A necessarily kcauses the friction-wheel lc to ride upout of its seat upon a cam, E, tensioning spring L, as is obvious fromthe fact that vane. I is held in one position by the wind, orin linetherewith. Upon the cessation of the wind the spring L will force thevane back toits normal position and bring the wheel hroadside to thewind again. 't

It is obvious from the foregoing that by regulating the tension ot'spring L, I can also in a manner regulate t-hedegree of rotation orspeed of the wheel.

N, Fig. 1, designates a cap or cover placed over head A and securedthereon in suitable manneso as not to interfere with the working of thevane. The sides of the head may also be closed, if desired, and thus theworking parts eft'ectually protected from the weather.

Fig. 5 Shows a modified form of ring D. In

this a second recess is made in the interior of the ring opposite notchd, for receiving the wheel C, as shown, the operative portions of cams EE being still preserved. v

In Fig. 8 I have also shown a modified form of spring L. In this thespring is made of a solid bar or rod with one or more coils at itslowest point, and is connected by its opposite kends to the crane G androdK, as described.

If desired, the wheel k c'ould be mounted direct on the outer arm of thespring L and the rod K dispensed with, the ,spring-arm taking its place,as shownin Fig-9; but' the described constructionis preferable, in thatany tension" or twisting strain on the spring is avoided. It is alsoobvious that various modifications in the form and arrangement ofsprings and arms and the devices for automatically returning the vane toits normal position can be employed withoutl departing from theessential features of my invention, which are the'pivoting ofthe vane sothat it can turn independently of, but upon, the turn-table in anydirection and keep it normally in proper position to present the wheelto the wind, and an arrangement of cam-faces and devices acting portingturn-table or head, of an eccentric'- ring, D, having cam-faces E Emounted thereon, a vane pivoted by its shaft to a suitable support onsaid head above the ring D, springcontrolled rod K, playing through avertical slot in the vane-arm, and a friction wheell or roller, 7c, onrod K, adapted to engage the camfaces E E of the ring to return the vaneto normal position after displacement, all substantially as described.

therewith to return the vane to its normal po- Y IIO 2. The combination,in a windmill, ofthe head A, the wind-vane pivoted centrally thereon,the ring D, having cani-faces E-E and recess d, with the friction-wheel7c, mounted on a spring-controlledV rod playing throughy aV verticalslot in the vanearm, and engaging with the cam-faces E E to return thevane to its normal position after displacement and with the recess d tohold it in such position, p

all constructed and arranged substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

3. The combination,with a turn-table beariuga wind-wheel and wind-vane,the latter swinging freely in either direction, of cams mounted on theturn-table, and a spring-controlled friction-pulley engaging with saidcams and the Vane, whereby the latter is automatically returned to itsnormal position after displacement, substantially as described.

4. In a Windmill, the combination of a support, A, having a taperedtubular neck, a Wind-wheel, a crank-Wheel having a pitmanrod connectedto a tubular rod, P, a bent por tion, G, having an upper tubular portioncupped and receiving the lower end of a lubricating device, and alsoprovided with` a footcollar connecting it to the tube which surroundsthe rod P, an eccentric ring, D, and a wheel playing therein connectedto the pullchain and also to the part G, all constructed and adapted tooperate substantially as described.

5. rIhe combination, with the vaneand a turn-table, of the ring D,having an oil'set, d,

and a WheeLfk, spring-actuated and connected to the oscillating part Gand to the vane, sub- 25 stantially as described.

6. The combination of the head A, the windwheel b, shaft B,Wheel C andbrake-strap therefor mounted thereon, the crane G, and hollow pitman F,constructed and arranged substan 3o. tially as described, with the vaneI, rod K, Wheel k, spring L, cam-ring D, the pulleys j 4 xf k',crank-lever M, and chain J, all constructed and arranged 4to operatesubstantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I alix my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. `ALEXANDER.

Witnesses:

GEORGE S. DUsENBURY.

